Anthony Locicero, Associate Editor12.04.17
Biocides are protective substances used to inhibit the growth of bacteria and other pernicious organisms, including fungi. Biocides come in a variety of forms, such as halogen or metallic compounds, organic acids and organosulfurs. Each plays an integral role in the paint and coatings, water treatment, wood preservation, and food and beverage industries.
The global biocide market may reach $11.9 billion by 2022 – up from $7.9 billion in 2014 – according to Radiant Insights, Inc.
The demand is likely to be driven by a growth in water treatment process units in areas such as China, Japan and India, per Radiant Insights. Growth may also be driven by a growing demand for paints and coatings, which Radiant Insights said is owed to growing infrastructure spending.
David Tierney, global marketing director for Building Products at Lonza, found that the global biocides market grew by 3-4 percent annually between 2015-16.
“We continue to see growth in all regions, with the strongest growth in Asia Pacific,” said Ismael Colon, Ph.D., senior vice president, Science & Technology for Troy Corporation.
“Overall I would say that there has been an increase in demand,” Stephen Bailey marketing director, EMEA for Lonza noted, “but it has not been uniform.”
Bailey provided an example.
“Demand in Brazil has reduced due to economic reasons where as demand in oil and gas applications has increased due to an increase in the price of oil,” he said.
As far as in the coatings industry, Bailey estimated that the global market has seen “about a 1 percent increase.”
However, while continuing to grow the market, many companies have to comply with the EU’s REACH – European Regulation on Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals – legislation.
Stringent compliance regulations from EPA and REACH regarding product composition and its use may challenge market participants, per Radiant Insights.
Bailey said that REACH’s effect on Lonza has been “minor.”
“Biocides are exempt from REACH as they are covered instead by the BPR,” Bailey said. “Our only responsibility is to ensure that our raw ingredients have REACH approval.”
This isn’t the case for Troy Corporation and Dow Microbial Control.
“Troy is well prepared for REACH in supporting all of the products that we intend to sell in the EU,” Colon said.
“Troy offers customers full regulatory support worldwide, with access to the company’s highly experienced Regulatory Department, which has staff in the U.S., Europe and Asia,” he continued. “Dedicated Regulatory personnel work with customers one-on-one to help them achieve their goals and overcome any challenges. Through global resources and regional expertise, Troy is positioned to assist customers to successfully bring high-quality, fully compliant products to the marketplace in any geography worldwide.”
Judy Betancur, field marketing manager, and Ian Watt, European Product Stewardship and Regulatory Manager – both from Dow Microbial Control – said their company “has programs in place to ensure full compliance with the requirements under REACH.
“According to Article 15 of the REACH Regulation, biocidal active substances manufactured or imported for use in biocidal products only, placed on the EU market and supported within the Biocidal Products Regulation EU 528/2012, shall be regarded as being registered and the registration as completed for manufacture or import for use in those biocidal products,” Betancur and Watt noted.
“REACH does, however, require registration of co-formulants of biocidal products when they are manufactured or imported in a volume of one metric ton or more per annum per legal entity. Dow has pre-registered all of the REACH-relevant co-formulants of biocidal products that it manufactures in the EU – or manufactures outside the EU and imports into the EU – for use in biocidal products used in coatings. Dow also works closely with suppliers to ensure pre-registration of substances in raw materials that we purchase and import into the EU for the formulation of biocidal products.”
What do customers expect in terms of performance/environmental compliance? The answers varied.
“Meeting customer demand is an increasingly difficult balancing act,” Bailey said. “Customers want to avoid labeling – for example EUH317 skin sensitization – and any environmental impact but still expect a broad-spectrum performance from their biocide formulations.”
Colon observed that coatings manufacturers worldwide “face numerous challenges, including regulatory pressure and competition on cost.
“In short, manufacturers are looking for optimum long-term protection as well as ‘green’ chemistry with minimum handling risks and environmental footprint,” he said. “Suppliers like Troy are accommodating customer demands with new generation preservatives that aim to provide performance, ‘green’ attributes, and low cost-in-use.”
“Customers continue to explore options for improved biocidal performance, both for In-Can Preservation and Dry Film Protection,” Betancur and Watt added. “These options in some cases require the power of several chemistries in order to offer broader spectrum and longer-lasting performance. Customers also continue to re-formulate to reduce VOC levels in their coatings. This increases the need for robust preservative packages that at the same time do not affect key paint properties.
“Suppliers that offer comprehensive technical support – both laboratory efficacy testing and in-plant hygiene testing – are preferred partners,” Betancur and Watt said. “Customers are looking for suppliers who fully support their active ingredients and formulations through the major regulatory frameworks (EPA, PMRA, European Biocidal Products Regulation).
New Products
Over the last year, these companies have developed new formulations or blends.
According to Betancur and Watt, “Dow Microbial Control is constantly investing in and innovating in the many market segments where it participates.
“These developments are in different stages of commercialization and are discussed as needed with target customers in the different segments.”
Lonza launched Proxel Spektra Antimicrobial, an MIT free in-can preservative, per Bailey.
“Troy has expanded its MIT-free and MIT-compliant Mergal wet-state portfolio in Europe and has introduced a number of new Polyphase and Troysan controlled release products throughout the world that are specifically formulated for the unique challenges faced in different regions,” Colon said.
“To address the need for exterior coatings protection against severe algal as well as fungal growth, Troy developed advanced Polyphase 763CR, an innovative controlled release dry-film preservative for the U.S. paint market. Polyphase 763CR is designed to enable manufacturers to provide high-quality protection of their end products regardless of the region of the country in which they are used and the environmental and microbial conditions encountered,” he continued.
“Polyphase 763CR is a broad-spectrum water-based product that is effective against a wide variety of fungal and algal organisms,” Colon added. “The introduction of Polyphase 763CR is especially valuable in regions subject to high levels of rainfall and humidity, due to its excellent leaching resistance. Polyphase 763CR is compatible in a wide range of systems and is ideal for use over wood, HardieBoard, stucco, EIFS and other common substrates.”
The classification of biocides in the Biocidal Products Regulation (EU) 528/2012)(BPR) is broken down into 22 product types (i.e. application categories), with several comprising multiple subgroups:
MAIN GROUP 1: Disinfectants and general biocidal products
Product-type 1: Human hygiene biocidal products
Product-type 2: Private area and public health area disinfectants and other biocidal products
Product-type 3: Veterinary hygiene biocidal products
Product-type 4: Food and feed area disinfectants
Product-type 5: Drinking water disinfectants
MAIN GROUP 2: Preservatives
Product-type 6: In-can preservatives
Product-type 7: Film preservatives
Product-type 8: Wood preservatives
Product-type 9: Fibre, leather, rubber and polymerised materials preservatives
Product-type 10: Masonry preservatives
Product-type 11: Preservatives for liquid-cooling and processing systems
Product-type 12: Slimicides
Product-type 13: Metalworking-fluid preservatives
MAIN GROUP 3: Pest control
Product-type 14: Rodenticides
Product-type 15: Avicides
Product-type 16: Molluscicides
Product-type 17: Piscicides
Product-type 18: Insecticides, acaricides and products to control other arthropods
Product-type 19: Repellents and attractants
Product-type 20: Control of other vertebrates
MAIN GROUP 4: Other biocidal products
Product-type 21: Antifouling products
Product-type 22: Embalming and taxidermist fluids
The global biocide market may reach $11.9 billion by 2022 – up from $7.9 billion in 2014 – according to Radiant Insights, Inc.
The demand is likely to be driven by a growth in water treatment process units in areas such as China, Japan and India, per Radiant Insights. Growth may also be driven by a growing demand for paints and coatings, which Radiant Insights said is owed to growing infrastructure spending.
David Tierney, global marketing director for Building Products at Lonza, found that the global biocides market grew by 3-4 percent annually between 2015-16.
“We continue to see growth in all regions, with the strongest growth in Asia Pacific,” said Ismael Colon, Ph.D., senior vice president, Science & Technology for Troy Corporation.
“Overall I would say that there has been an increase in demand,” Stephen Bailey marketing director, EMEA for Lonza noted, “but it has not been uniform.”
Bailey provided an example.
“Demand in Brazil has reduced due to economic reasons where as demand in oil and gas applications has increased due to an increase in the price of oil,” he said.
As far as in the coatings industry, Bailey estimated that the global market has seen “about a 1 percent increase.”
However, while continuing to grow the market, many companies have to comply with the EU’s REACH – European Regulation on Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals – legislation.
Stringent compliance regulations from EPA and REACH regarding product composition and its use may challenge market participants, per Radiant Insights.
Bailey said that REACH’s effect on Lonza has been “minor.”
“Biocides are exempt from REACH as they are covered instead by the BPR,” Bailey said. “Our only responsibility is to ensure that our raw ingredients have REACH approval.”
This isn’t the case for Troy Corporation and Dow Microbial Control.
“Troy is well prepared for REACH in supporting all of the products that we intend to sell in the EU,” Colon said.
“Troy offers customers full regulatory support worldwide, with access to the company’s highly experienced Regulatory Department, which has staff in the U.S., Europe and Asia,” he continued. “Dedicated Regulatory personnel work with customers one-on-one to help them achieve their goals and overcome any challenges. Through global resources and regional expertise, Troy is positioned to assist customers to successfully bring high-quality, fully compliant products to the marketplace in any geography worldwide.”
Judy Betancur, field marketing manager, and Ian Watt, European Product Stewardship and Regulatory Manager – both from Dow Microbial Control – said their company “has programs in place to ensure full compliance with the requirements under REACH.
“According to Article 15 of the REACH Regulation, biocidal active substances manufactured or imported for use in biocidal products only, placed on the EU market and supported within the Biocidal Products Regulation EU 528/2012, shall be regarded as being registered and the registration as completed for manufacture or import for use in those biocidal products,” Betancur and Watt noted.
“REACH does, however, require registration of co-formulants of biocidal products when they are manufactured or imported in a volume of one metric ton or more per annum per legal entity. Dow has pre-registered all of the REACH-relevant co-formulants of biocidal products that it manufactures in the EU – or manufactures outside the EU and imports into the EU – for use in biocidal products used in coatings. Dow also works closely with suppliers to ensure pre-registration of substances in raw materials that we purchase and import into the EU for the formulation of biocidal products.”
What do customers expect in terms of performance/environmental compliance? The answers varied.
“Meeting customer demand is an increasingly difficult balancing act,” Bailey said. “Customers want to avoid labeling – for example EUH317 skin sensitization – and any environmental impact but still expect a broad-spectrum performance from their biocide formulations.”
Colon observed that coatings manufacturers worldwide “face numerous challenges, including regulatory pressure and competition on cost.
“In short, manufacturers are looking for optimum long-term protection as well as ‘green’ chemistry with minimum handling risks and environmental footprint,” he said. “Suppliers like Troy are accommodating customer demands with new generation preservatives that aim to provide performance, ‘green’ attributes, and low cost-in-use.”
“Customers continue to explore options for improved biocidal performance, both for In-Can Preservation and Dry Film Protection,” Betancur and Watt added. “These options in some cases require the power of several chemistries in order to offer broader spectrum and longer-lasting performance. Customers also continue to re-formulate to reduce VOC levels in their coatings. This increases the need for robust preservative packages that at the same time do not affect key paint properties.
“Suppliers that offer comprehensive technical support – both laboratory efficacy testing and in-plant hygiene testing – are preferred partners,” Betancur and Watt said. “Customers are looking for suppliers who fully support their active ingredients and formulations through the major regulatory frameworks (EPA, PMRA, European Biocidal Products Regulation).
New Products
Over the last year, these companies have developed new formulations or blends.
According to Betancur and Watt, “Dow Microbial Control is constantly investing in and innovating in the many market segments where it participates.
“These developments are in different stages of commercialization and are discussed as needed with target customers in the different segments.”
Lonza launched Proxel Spektra Antimicrobial, an MIT free in-can preservative, per Bailey.
“Troy has expanded its MIT-free and MIT-compliant Mergal wet-state portfolio in Europe and has introduced a number of new Polyphase and Troysan controlled release products throughout the world that are specifically formulated for the unique challenges faced in different regions,” Colon said.
“To address the need for exterior coatings protection against severe algal as well as fungal growth, Troy developed advanced Polyphase 763CR, an innovative controlled release dry-film preservative for the U.S. paint market. Polyphase 763CR is designed to enable manufacturers to provide high-quality protection of their end products regardless of the region of the country in which they are used and the environmental and microbial conditions encountered,” he continued.
“Polyphase 763CR is a broad-spectrum water-based product that is effective against a wide variety of fungal and algal organisms,” Colon added. “The introduction of Polyphase 763CR is especially valuable in regions subject to high levels of rainfall and humidity, due to its excellent leaching resistance. Polyphase 763CR is compatible in a wide range of systems and is ideal for use over wood, HardieBoard, stucco, EIFS and other common substrates.”
The classification of biocides in the Biocidal Products Regulation (EU) 528/2012)(BPR) is broken down into 22 product types (i.e. application categories), with several comprising multiple subgroups:
MAIN GROUP 1: Disinfectants and general biocidal products
Product-type 1: Human hygiene biocidal products
Product-type 2: Private area and public health area disinfectants and other biocidal products
Product-type 3: Veterinary hygiene biocidal products
Product-type 4: Food and feed area disinfectants
Product-type 5: Drinking water disinfectants
MAIN GROUP 2: Preservatives
Product-type 6: In-can preservatives
Product-type 7: Film preservatives
Product-type 8: Wood preservatives
Product-type 9: Fibre, leather, rubber and polymerised materials preservatives
Product-type 10: Masonry preservatives
Product-type 11: Preservatives for liquid-cooling and processing systems
Product-type 12: Slimicides
Product-type 13: Metalworking-fluid preservatives
MAIN GROUP 3: Pest control
Product-type 14: Rodenticides
Product-type 15: Avicides
Product-type 16: Molluscicides
Product-type 17: Piscicides
Product-type 18: Insecticides, acaricides and products to control other arthropods
Product-type 19: Repellents and attractants
Product-type 20: Control of other vertebrates
MAIN GROUP 4: Other biocidal products
Product-type 21: Antifouling products
Product-type 22: Embalming and taxidermist fluids
